Caleb Williams makes surprising decision following dramatic season

Oklahoma quarterback Caleb Williams has made the decision to enter the transfer portal, he announced Monday via Twitter. The true freshman quarterback will explore his options while not completely ruling out returning to Norman, he said.

“As you all know, the sudden changes this season sent shockwaves through Sooner Nation and were really hard for the whole team,” Williams wrote. “… I think we all come to college to find our own path and prepare for the future. I came to Oklahoma with a game plan, but with all the recent changes, I need to figure out what is the right path for me moving forward.

“According to NCAA rules, as a student-athlete, the only way I can speak with other schools and see who many offer the best preparation and development for my future career is by entering the portal. Staying at OU will definitely be an option as I begin this process.”

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— Caleb Williams (@CALEBcsw) January 3, 2022

Williams’ ascension to stardom was one of the more positive storylines to come out of the 2021 Sooners season. He took over for Spencer Rattler in the Red River Rivalry game against Texas, leading Oklahoma to a 21-point comeback and 55-48 victory.

After that, the freshman remained the starting quarterback to finish out the season. He threw for 1,912 yards and scored 27 total touchdowns as OU closed the year with an 11-2 record.

Williams came to Oklahoma as the No. 1 overall recruit in the 2021 class according to On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley left at the conclusion of the regular season to take over USC. With him, several Sooners players transferred, including tight end Austin Stogner and receiver Jadon Haselwood. Recruits have also decommitted, providing more questions about the future of the program.

The Sooners hired Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables, a former Bob Stoops assistant, as Riley’s replacement. He has already achieved a couple of wins by convincing receivers Theo Wease and Marvin Mims to stay.

Could the return of two top weapons be enough to convince Caleb Williams to make the decision to withdraw from the transfer portal? If not, the next man up appears to be Ralph Rucker, who spent the majority of 2021 as the third-string quarterback.